Citrus County readies new central animal shelter; construction expected in months

Citrus County officials say construction is about to begin on a new centrally located animal shelter that county leaders expect will improve care and operational efficiency.

"Design is complete, permits are in and construction is about to begin for Citrus County's new centrally located animal shelter," host Steve Howard said in the county’s information program. The site, described on the broadcast as just north of Lecanto Highway at Woodland Ridge Drive across from Citrus County Transit, is roughly 9 acres.

Tom Henry, construction manager for Citrus County Public Works, described the campus layout: "There will be five buildings included in this complex. One main building up front where visitors will come in and conduct business with the staff. And then there will be four other buildings. Two of those will be kennels and another building will be for the surgery center and another building will be for the isolation center." He said those features are intended to enable services expected from a modern animal services facility.

Henry also said the county will retain much of the site's tree cover and plant additional trees to meet county codes, noting the landscaping benefits both animals and staff: "This lot will not be clear-cutted. We will preserve be preserving quite a few trees around the perimeter. We will be actually planting more trees in certain locations to make sure that we meet all the county codes."

County officials estimated a tentative start to construction "probably two, maybe three months," depending on contractor scheduling and negotiations, and did not provide a firm groundbreaking date.

The television segment identified the project as part of ongoing county capital work; no formal vote or contract award was recorded in the program. Further procurement details, contractor identity and a formal construction schedule were not specified on the broadcast.

The county also promoted other county news on the program; follow-up information about the shelter will likely be posted on the county’s new website, citruscounty.gov.